Marlena Rice Sovel, age 66, of Carthage, passed away on March 7, 2019 at FirstHealth Hospice House, surrounded by her family.

Marlena was born in Lee County on September 8, 1952 to the late John Heath and Prestell Gillis Rice. As a result of her generous spirit and pleasant personality, she was loved by many. She was a loving mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her children, Jeremy Sovel (Marisa) of Florida and Natalie Smith (Herb) also of Florida; sisters, Johnnie Jean Rice of Carthage, Elaine Graves also of Carthage, Dianne Lewis of Raleigh and Linda Hamann of South Carolina; brother, Jarriet H. Rice of Whispering Pines; grandchildren, Alex, Ryan, Audrey and Aaron.